Risk Factors for Parvovirus B19 Infection in Pregnancy

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In 1983, Anderson et al1 identified parvovirus B19 infection as the probable cause of erythema infectiosum, also known as fifth disease. Parvovirus B19 also causes chronic anemia in immunocompromised hosts, transient aplastic crisis in patients with increased red blood cell turnover, and may be a rare cause of arthritis.2,3 Perhaps most public attention has focused on the finding that infection during pregnancy may increase a woman's risk of fetal death.4,5